The Thin Red (Press) Line

LET'S be clear: The news media is justified in covering the attacks on journalists in Cairo. It is right to ask whether the assaults are part of a deliberate tactic by pro-Mubarak forces. It is a legitimate, important news story. It is also a sideshow. But you wouldn’t know that from today’s news coverage. It was all about Anderson Cooper and the other marquee reporters who have been hurt or pummeled in the unrest. Memo to the Media: You are not the story. The struggle of the Egyptian people is. I hope news outlets – especially those with the biggest megaphones (CNN, MSNBC, etc) – keep that in mind tomorrow.